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Post by pieter on Feb 7, 2024 9:46:55 GMT -7
 Dutch government formation upended as Omtzigt pulls out of talksFebruary 7, 2024 NSC leader Pieter Omtzigt explains why his party is no longer willing to join a cabinet. Photo: ANP/Ramon van FlymenThe formation of the next Dutch government is hanging by a thread after Pieter Omtzigt, the Party leader of the Center right New Social Contract (NSC) party, withdrew his party from the coalition talks, claiming crucial financial documents had been withheld from the negotiators.
Omtzigt said he was “very shocked” to learn about the “real financial setbacks and risks” described in a stack of around 20 dispatches from government ministries to Ronald Plasterk, the former home affairs minister who is leading the talks.
The NSC leader said on TV talk show Humberto that the talks had not collapsed, but stated bluntly: “This round has ended.” The leaders of the PVV, VVD, BBB and NSC in better timesHe said his party was still willing to support a “broader coalition” in parliament but would not join a cabinet with the other three right-wing parties: Geert Wilders’s PVV, the liberal VVD and the farmers’ party BBB.
Plasterk and the other three party leaders were surprised by Omtzigt’s decision, claiming that talks had been constructive up until Tuesday afternoon, when the NSC leader broke away to consult his team of MPs on whether to continue.“Total surprise”“Unbelievable and disappointing,” Wilders posted on X. “The Netherlands wants this cabinet and now Pieter Omtzigt is throwing in the towel.”
VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz said she was “very surprised” and called for the parties to get back around the table, while BBB leader Caroline van der Plas called it a “total surprise”. Plasterk also said he was surprised by the development and called Omtzigt’s explanation for pulling out of the talks a “muddled tale”.
He called on the parties to continue the negotiations on Wednesday, but Omtzigt declined the invitation and said he would wait for Plasterk to send his report to parliament, which is due by next Monday. MPs will debate his findings later in the week.
In a letter to his party’s 20 MPs, Omtzigt criticised Plasterk for not sharing the ministries’ reports about their finances, which he claimed had been submitted two weeks ago, even though the public finances have been one of the main topics of discussion.
He said the reports set out “different financial expectations” for the next few years. “NSC does not want to make promises to the Dutch people when they know in advance that these empty promises cannot be realised in the next cabinet term,” Omtzigt wrote.Taking responsibilityRob Jetten, leader of outgoing coalition party D66, also challenged Omtzigt’s statements about the public finances. “If you walk away from the coalition talks when things get a bit difficult, it raises the question of how capable you are of taking responsibility in the next few years,” he said on talk show Op1.
Jetten’s predecessor, Sigrid Kaag, was finance minister in the previous cabinet before leaving to head the UN’s humanitarian and reconstruction team in Gaza. The post is currently held by D66 minister Steven van Weyenberg. Rob Jetten, leader of outgoing coalition party D66, a centrist social liberal political party; “If you walk away from the coalition talks when things get a bit difficult, it raises the question of how capable you are of taking responsibility in the next few years.”Plasterk will now have to decide whether to hold a second round of talks with the three remaining parties to form a minority cabinet, invite another party – most likely the left-wing alliance GroenLinks-PvdA – to try to form a government, or conclude the talks have broken down, which would trigger new elections.
The last option is seen as unlikely because the last election was just 11 weeks ago and previous attempts to form a government have taken several rounds. The previous coalition of VVD, D66, Christian Democrats (CDA) and ChristenUnie first came together in 2017 after leftwing progressive GroenLinks (GreenLeft) party pulled out of the negotiations.
However, Dilan Yesilgöz has all but ruled out forming a cabinet with GreenLeft-PvdA (Labour Party), arguing that voters expressed a wish for a right-wing government in November. Immediately after the election she said the VVD would not go into cabinet with the PVV but was prepared to support it through a confidence and supply deal. The party logo of the green, Center Left to Leftwing political party GreenLeft which attracts leftwing academics/intellectuals, university students, Pacifist Socialists, Leftwing radical liberals, Feminists, young and older progressive women and Eco liberals. The Logo of the Dutch Center Left Social Democratic Labour Party, the PvdA (Partij van de Arbeid in Dutch) Following the 2023 Senate election in 30 May 2023, PvdA and GroenLinks deepened their co-operation by forming a joint parliamentary group in the senate, becoming the second-largest group behind the agrarian and right-wing populist Farmer–Citizen Movement (BBB) of Caroline van der Plas. On 17 July 2023, the Labour Party (PvdA) and Green Left announced that they would contest the upcoming 2023 general election with a common policy programme and joint electoral list. |
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Post by pieter on Feb 7, 2024 10:13:28 GMT -7
  PVV leader Geert Wilders responds to journalists on Pieter Omtzigt and his NSC's withdrawal from the Cabinet formation talks before entering a parliamentry debate on the Ministry of Justice and Security's budget, 7 February 2024 - Credit: Sem van der Wal / ANP - License: All Rights ReservedWEDNESDAY, 7 FEBRUARY 2024 - 12:07Wilders: Omtzigt acted “disrespectfully” by leaving Cabinet negotiations by text messageThe leaders of the PVV, VVD, and BBB would all like an explanation from Pieter Omtzigt about his NSC’s abrupt withdrawal from the Cabinet formation negotiations on Tuesday. According to Geert Wilders, Omtzigt acted “fairly disrespectfully.” The PVV leader called it “strange that someone who thinks it is so important that we attach great importance to institutions in the new administrative culture would send the [formation talks leader] a text message and then not show up,” Wilders said to NOS.
Ronald Plasterk, the “informant” leading this phase of the government formation talks, invited the leaders of all four parties to a meeting on Tuesday evening to “conclude the talks properly,” he said.
Wilders hopes that Omtzigt will accept Plasterk’s invitation. “We were engaged in good and constructive conversations. I really don’t understand it at all,” Wilders said about the NSC’s departure. According to him, Omtzigt owes the other parties “and also the Netherlands” an explanation.
The PVV leader also said that Omtzigt was taking the coward's route and thereby opening the door to left-wing leader Frans Timmermans (GroenLinks-PvdA). “I don’t think that is in the national interest. Ultimately, the voter wants a center-right Cabinet.”
VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz also thinks that Omtzigt should personally explain to the people he has been meeting with for weeks why he suddenly withdrew with no warning. Yesilgöz said she received a text from Otmzight “after he informed your journalists” about his departure. “I think all kinds of things about that,” she said to the broadcaster on her way to a parliamentary debate on the Ministry of Justice and Security’s budget.
BBB leader Caroline van der Plas told the broadcaster that she was “totally confused” about what happened on Tuesday. She read in the media that Omtzigt would not return to the formation table before she heard from the man himself. “The message was already on the NOS site; we were just reading it, and then we all received a text message.”
Like Yesilgöz and Wilders, Van der Plas hopes the NSC leader will accept Plasterk’s invitation to talk this evening so that he can explain. She called it “very strange that he just left us behind. And that from someone who so desperately wants to keep the rule of law and institutions in tact.” |
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Post by pieter on Feb 7, 2024 10:27:31 GMT -7
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Post by karl on Feb 7, 2024 10:28:58 GMT -7
Pieter
It would appear of a paralization of disagreements of these respective parties as shown. But due to these times of upheaval in our known world and issues between respective governments and farm people, it is not a time for a paralyzed Dutch Government for the reason of the respective party leaders not able to come to a common consensus.
Karl
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Post by pieter on Feb 8, 2024 7:09:51 GMT -7
Dear Karl,
The Demissionary coalition government of Mark Rutte with the VVD, D66, CDA and Christian Union government coalition party is still governing until the next government is installed. This demissionary Cabinet Rutte is working and functionating well despite the domestic and international problems we are facing. But the negotiating parties PVV, VVD, BBB and NSC have troubles forming a new coalition government replacing the Demissionary Cabinet Rutte. But until a new government is installed, the old government will stay in power.
The Rutte IV cabinet has been the Dutch cabinet since January 10, 2022. It is formed by the parties VVD, D66, CDA and ChristenUnie and is chaired by Prime Minister Mark Rutte. The cabinet was sworn in on January 10, 2022 as the successor to the Rutte III cabinet, after the House of Representatives elections of March 15, 2021 and the subsequent cabinet formation. After the cabinet crisis over asylum, the cabinet offered to resign on July 7, 2023 and has been resigning since then.
So there is no power problem of lack of government at the moment. The question is if the negotiating parties will find a agreement after the NSC party of Pieter Omtzigt walked out of the PVV, VVD, BBB and NSC negotiations. Will there be new elections or will the PVV, VVD, BBB and the NSC get back at the negotiation table and find solutions for the Financial problems the NSC discovered and the concerns the NSC has about certain point of views of Geert Wilders PVV (Freedom Party) which the NSC considers to be unconstitutional. The NSC has some problems with Far Right, Xenophobic elements of the PVV program like banning mosques, the Quran and the headgear (vail) of Muslim women. The PVV moderated it's stance on these issues, but NSC has doubts about that.
Cheers,
Pieter
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Post by pieter on Feb 8, 2024 8:05:39 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Feb 8, 2024 8:06:24 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Feb 8, 2024 8:12:00 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Feb 8, 2024 8:17:30 GMT -7
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Post by pieter on Feb 8, 2024 8:56:39 GMT -7
Dear Karl,
I think these video's explain the situation in the Netherlands very well. Of course you know something about it, but also for a wider audience these video's can be interesting.
For people who know the Netherlands less than I and you do. You are a German neighbour. Although you are not Dutch, you know whom the Dutch and the Netherlands are.
You have been in the Netherlands and read my posts about the Netherlands and have seen the video's.
Cheers,
Pieter
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Post by pieter on Feb 8, 2024 9:06:51 GMT -7
 Dutch coalition talks close to collapse after key party pulls outDutch far-right leader Geert Wilders's hopes of forming a majority government were in tatters on Tuesday as a key negotiating party abruptly withdrew over a row about public finances.Issued on: 07/02/2024 - 04:06 File photo of PVV leader Geert Wilders taken in The Hague on January 24 2024, as representatives of the PVV, VVD, NSC and BBB negotiated a cabinet formation. © Ramon van Flymen, AFPBy: NEWS WIRESThe New Social Contract (NSC) of anti-corruption champion Pieter Omtzigt announced it was "finished" with this round of coalition talks, making it impossible as it stands for Wilders to hold a majority.
The NSC said it would remain "constructive" in talks over forming a government but appeared to rule out serving in a majority cabinet with Wilders.
"It could be a constructive support for a minority cabinet for example," said the NSC in a letter.
Wilders stunned the Netherlands and Europe by storming to victory in November's election with an anti-Islam, climate-change-denying manifesto that would ban mosques and the Koran.
But elections in the fragmented Dutch system usually usher in months of haggling over a coalition government.
Wilders has opened talks with three other parties but without the NSC and its 20 seats in the 150-seat parliament, he has no chance of forming a majority cabinet.
The far-right leader has already clashed with Omtzigt over parts of the Wilders manifesto seen as anti-constitutional, like its anti-Islam elements but also plans for a "Nexit", or a Dutch exit from the EU.
"Incredibly disappointing," Wilders wrote on X, formerly Twitter. "The Netherlands wants this cabinet and now Pieter Omtzigt is throwing in the towel while we were still in talks until today. I don't get it at all," he added.'A bit surprised'Ronald Plasterk, the official charged with overseeing the horse-trading, must report to parliament by next Monday at the latest on progress in the talks.
He said he was "a bit surprised" by the sudden move, according to local news agency ANP, adding that he had found out via his WhatsApp.
His office had released an email to reporters saying that all four parties would be around the table again on Wednesday – which is now unlikely to happen.
Already the omens had not been positive heading into Monday's deadline for Plasterk to release his much-awaited report.
Before Tuesday's shock announcement, the four party leaders had agreed to keep silent on the talks, meaning commentators and journalists had to rely on a stream of messages from Wilders on X.
"We have a serious problem," he warned after one possible coalition partner voted through a controversial immigration measure in the upper house, posting "MY GOD" in capitals after the news broke.
He then lashed out at Dilan Yeşilgöz, leader of the centre-right liberal VVD, calling her "sour" after she appeared to take aim at him in a speech to her party.
The Netherlands reportedly needs to find some 17 billion euros in spending cuts but Wilders has instead vowed tax cuts and no major reductions in spending, infuriating the fiscally prudent Omtzigt.
"Under no circumstances does the NSC want to make promises to Dutch people, which it knows in advance are empty promises that cannot be kept during the coming cabinet period," said the letter.
Yeşilgöz also voiced shock at the abrupt move, writing on X: "I am very surprised. We were having constructive talks, even today." "I hope that we can quickly come round the table and hear precisely what is going on." New elections looming?The final member of the negotiating foursome, Caroline van der Plas from the BBB farmers party, said it was "astonishing", also saying that talks had been positive until then.
The Dutch are used to politicians taking their time to form a government – the last one took 271 days – and Mark Rutte will remain prime minister until a deal is clinched.
But Wilders also raised eyebrows by dangling the possibility of new elections if the talks founder.
The latest polling suggests support for Wilders's PVV is soaring, with one showing a staggering 50 seats out of 150 for the far-right party.
(AFP)
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Post by karl on Feb 8, 2024 13:03:43 GMT -7
Dear Pieter
Please do hold patience for such various disagreements upon each of these party representatives. For each and all are very concerned for the welfare of The Nederland, both the land, the people and welfare of each. These are very well educated, honest and hard-working representatives of both their political parties and the people they represent who are dependent upon their each professional decisions.
For each, as highly trained in their professions will have disagreements, but in the end, will come to a reasonable conclusion for both the Dutch people they represent and for the state of Nederlands they all love as their homeland.
For yes, myself have been into your wonderful homeland and felt at home even though a great deal of difficulty with your Dutch language for myself am not very linguistic. Even though I am both of German citizenship and Dansk, I felt confident and did not feel as a stranger whilst in your land. In many ways and manners, The Nederland was so simular to Denmark as other than the heard spoken Dutch and different signage on the streets, I felt comfortable.
Karl
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Post by pieter on Feb 8, 2024 15:15:23 GMT -7
   Pieter Herman Omtzigt (born 8 January 1974) is a Dutch politician who has served as a member of the House of Representatives since 2003 apart from a short interruption between June and October 2010. He was member of the Christian Democratic Appeal (CDA), but left in 2021 and continued as independent. In August 2023, he founded a new party called New Social Contract, its name taken from his 2021 manifesto. Three months later, his party won 20 out of 150 seats in the 2023 Dutch general election. In his political work, Omtzigt focuses on matters of taxes and pensions. He rose to prominence for his role in bringing attention to the childcare benefits scandal. ( en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dutch_childcare_benefits_scandal )Newshour (Nieuwsuur)
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Today, 21:54 PAMFormation: 'Omtzigt will no longer continue with these parties'Forming has turned into an irritant in The Hague, as it turns out today. No matter how bad the atmosphere has been in recent days, the wounds were deeper. This is evident from stories from people around the top of NSC, Pieter Omtzigt's party. "Omtzigt will not return to this formation table," says political interpreter Arjan Noorlander, who spoke to people around that party leadership.
According to Noorlander, Omtzigt will no longer come to The Hague to participate in the formation this round. "It is really out of the question that NSC will participate in a cabinet of these three parties and help them obtain a majority. NSC will also not support a minority cabinet if PVV leader Geert Wilders becomes prime minister. There is a line through that." , says Noorlander. The party has not ruled out other options for cabinet variants, such as an extra-parliamentary cabinet or a minority cabinet under a different prime minister.
Omtzigt's resignation is not only about articles about financial setbacks in the state finances, which the NSC leader - according to his own words - only became aware of as a negotiator at the last minute. The tweets, manners and lack of trust also became too much for the NSC leader. "People measured each other. That undermined trust at NSC," says Noorlander. "It was actually the whole tone of the past few weeks, say sources at NSC."Too little respect'Informer (Informateur) Ronald Plasterk also came up with criticism today. The way Omtzigt handled the formation of a new cabinet. He believes that Omtzigt has too little respect for the "informateur institute" and is displeased about this, as it became apparent today after the meeting with the leaders of the three remaining parties: PVV (Geert Wilders Freedom Party), VVD and BBB.
Noorlander: "Plasterk wants to see whether a right-wing cabinet can be formed. But these three parties are not a group of friends. They really still have something to fight out." And Wilders also wants that right-wing cabinet. "So they now have to figure out how they are going to do that. Because the situation is now one of total confusion," says Noorlander, who also hears criticism of Plasterk's role as an informant. "The feeling is that he is mainly carrying out an assignment from Wilders."Independent informantTomorrow Plasterk, PVV leader Wilders, VVD leader Dilan Yesilgöz and BBB leader Caroline van der Plas will continue to talk. Omtzigt himself has announced that he will not be there. Nevertheless, Plasterk still saw opportunities for the four parties to discuss further today. "I'm an optimist. I can still sit down with Omtzigt." He has often seen in politics that political parties took a seemingly unbridgeable distance from each other.
Plasterk's final report will be published on Monday. Next Wednesday, the House of Representatives will debate the formation process and Plasterk's report. Noorlander: "The House must now see whether it is time for an independent informant. That will be a whole new search." Informateur Ronald Plasterk and Pieter Omtzigt, leader of the New Center Right political party, New Social Contract |
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Post by Jaga on Feb 10, 2024 21:23:34 GMT -7
There seem to be so much chaos in the world now. I am not surprised that Netherlands is also in the trouble with its government. At least the right wing guy cannot mess up too much
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Post by pieter on Feb 13, 2024 7:48:58 GMT -7
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